Get After Them
James 5:19-20 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,
20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Who do you know that is wandering right now? Are you ready to be a lifeguard and go after them, because you see them getting pulled under by the current, what are you going to do? Faith helps me lead others to faith. Who do you know that is wandering because they’re totally lost?
What are you willing to do to peacefully and lovingly tell them your story and lead them to Christ? To live a life that leads them to Christ, to build a relationship so they can see that they don’t have to go through life alone but that Jesus is there, and there is hope. Now, let’s tie it all up in a little bow.
Remember that initial feeling of panic you felt when you couldn’t find your kid? Remember that panic when you realized you were completely lost and had no clue where you were, no clue where anyone was or where to go? That feeling deep in your stomach? Translate that into urgency because the days are getting shorter. Jesus is coming back soon. All those people that just raced through your mind, what are you going to do with it?
Are you going to say, “You’re the pastor, you do something with it. Not my job.” That’s a lie! James said so in verse 20. He doesn’t say, “If someone is wandering and the pastor/elder/church leader brings him back.” No. If you bring him back. You see, there is no age limit on this. Angie and the children’s team are working on bringing those little sheep to the Good Shepherd. Middle school and high school kids, you’re not exempt from this. Who do you know, which friend is absolutely struggling right now? Ivy Tech and Ball State students, who do you know that is struggling and wandering big time right now? Maybe it’s you! What are you going to do with it? You have a room full of people to help guide you to Jesus. Jesus himself said the fields are white unto harvest, but there aren’t many workers.
Church, the best days of church are head of us. The best days, the phenomenal party-time relaxation days are coming, but right now there’s work to do. On this journey, we see strays everywhere and 9 times out of 10 we think, “Whoo! They’re in bad shape!” and just keep going, and we just let them go. That cannot be! It cannot be so! That’s what James is saying. It cannot be so! This pastor is ending his letter by saying, “Don’t let them go! Don’t pass them by! Keep pursuing them! Because you will save their soul from death!” This is not a game! Eternity is a long time, and hell is hot! Do not let them go. Don’t give up. That’s what James says.
The urgency is there, the question is: what are you going to do about it?
What are you willing to do to peacefully and lovingly tell them your story and lead them to Christ? To live a life that leads them to Christ, to build a relationship so they can see that they don’t have to go through life alone but that Jesus is there, and there is hope. Now, let’s tie it all up in a little bow.
Remember that initial feeling of panic you felt when you couldn’t find your kid? Remember that panic when you realized you were completely lost and had no clue where you were, no clue where anyone was or where to go? That feeling deep in your stomach? Translate that into urgency because the days are getting shorter. Jesus is coming back soon. All those people that just raced through your mind, what are you going to do with it?
Are you going to say, “You’re the pastor, you do something with it. Not my job.” That’s a lie! James said so in verse 20. He doesn’t say, “If someone is wandering and the pastor/elder/church leader brings him back.” No. If you bring him back. You see, there is no age limit on this. Angie and the children’s team are working on bringing those little sheep to the Good Shepherd. Middle school and high school kids, you’re not exempt from this. Who do you know, which friend is absolutely struggling right now? Ivy Tech and Ball State students, who do you know that is struggling and wandering big time right now? Maybe it’s you! What are you going to do with it? You have a room full of people to help guide you to Jesus. Jesus himself said the fields are white unto harvest, but there aren’t many workers.
Church, the best days of church are head of us. The best days, the phenomenal party-time relaxation days are coming, but right now there’s work to do. On this journey, we see strays everywhere and 9 times out of 10 we think, “Whoo! They’re in bad shape!” and just keep going, and we just let them go. That cannot be! It cannot be so! That’s what James is saying. It cannot be so! This pastor is ending his letter by saying, “Don’t let them go! Don’t pass them by! Keep pursuing them! Because you will save their soul from death!” This is not a game! Eternity is a long time, and hell is hot! Do not let them go. Don’t give up. That’s what James says.
The urgency is there, the question is: what are you going to do about it?
